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    Home » Dessert » Bars

    Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars

    Modified: Mar 20, 2024 · Published: May 9, 2014 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE

    These patriotic, star-shaped, Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars have a blue cake mix crust with soft marshmallow cream in the middle and red Rice Krispies treats on top. They are perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.

    Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars

    With summer about to kickoff, I just couldn’t resist making another variety of ooey gooey bars! The days are getting longer, the temps are rising and the kids have less than 20 days of school left. We are so excited for summer and are making plans for our summer vacations.

    There will also be so many barbecues, picnics, and parties. These Red White and Blue Bars are perfect for summer celebrations, especially Memorial Day and the 4th of July!

    With a cake mix crust, a Rice Krispie treat top and oozing marshmallow cream in between, who could resist these star-shaped treats. Whenever I share my ooey gooey bars, everyone loves them and their favorite part is usually the marshmallow cream layer! Add a washi tape flag and a few sprinkles to the platter and these bars are ready for the party!

    Disclaimer: This post contains links to products for making this recipe. If you use those links, I may earn a commission. Learn more here.

    Red White and Blue Bars Recipe

    Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars Layers in Pan

    Step One: Cake Mix Crust

    Mix together a white cake mix, eggs, oil and blue food coloring.

    Press into a greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes.

    Step Two: Marshmallow Middle Layer

    Remove the pan from the oven and top with marshmallow cream.

    As the marshmallow cream warms it will start to spread.

    Carefully spread it out over the cake mix crust.

    Step Three: Rice Krispies Treat Layer

    In a large bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Add mini marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for 45 seconds and stir until smooth. (If the marshmallows aren’t completely melted, microwave for an additional 30 seconds.)

    Add red food coloring and stir until the color is even.

    Mix in Rice Krispies and gently stir until well coated.

    Drop by large spoonfuls over the marshmallow cream layer and carefully spread out evenly.

    Finally, firmly press the top layer down into the marshmallow cream to really hold things together. Cover the bars and cool completely in the fridge.

    Washi Tape Flag for Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars

    Step Six: Washi Tape Flags

    While the patriotic bars are cooling, make some washi tape flags.

    Center a toothpick in a strip of washi tape.

    Fold the washi tape in half, over the toothpick.

    Then, cut a small “V” into the end of the flag to make the little points.

    Star Shaped Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars

    Step Six: Cut Star Shaped Bars

    Before serving, remove the red white and blue bars from the fridge and use a star-shaped cookie cutter as a template for cutting out the stars.

    I found that it didn’t work to cut the bars with the cookie cutter because they were too hard and once they were soft, cutting with the cookie cutter squished the marshmallow cream out.

    Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars Cut Into Stars

    Place the star-shaped Rice Krispie Treats on trays and add the washi tape flags.

    4th of July Recipes Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars

    As they warm up the marshmallow cream will soften and start to ooze out! These Red White and Blue Bars are ooey gooey and perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.

    Red White and Blue Bars Recipe Tips

    1. To get more vibrant red and blue, use gel food coloring instead of liquid drops.

    2. To help spread out the rice krispie treats, put your hand in a plastic baggie with a little butter on it and use your covered hand to gently spread it out.

    3. Top with red, white, and blue sprinkles for even more festive fun.

    4. Don’t want to bother with making star shapes? Just cut the bars after chilling them like you would regular rice kripsie treats.

    Red white and blue bars in a star shape with a flag.

    Red White and Blue Bars

    These patriotic, star-shaped, Ooey Gooey Red White and Blue Bars have a blue cake mix crust with soft marshmallow cream in the middle and red Rice Krispies treats on top. They are perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 23 minutes minutes
    Servings: 18
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    Ingredients

    • 15.25 ounce white cake mix
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • blue gel food coloring
    • (2) 7 ounce containers marshmallow cream
    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 6 cups mini marshmallows
    • red gel food coloring
    • 6 cups Rice Krispies

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Mix together a white cake mix, eggs, oil and blue gel food coloring. Press into a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake at 350˚F for 10-13 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and top with marshmallow cream. As the marshmallow cream warms it will start to spread. Carefully spread it out over the cake mix crust.
    • In a large bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Add mini marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for 45 seconds and stir until smooth. (If the marshmallows aren’t completely melted, microwave for an additional 30 seconds.) Add some red gel food coloring and stir until the color is even. Mix in Rice Krispies and gently stir until well coated. Drop by large spoonfuls over the marshmallow cream layer and carefully spread out evenly. Finally, firmly press the top layer down into the marshmallow cream to really hold things together. Cover the bars and cool completely in the fridge.
    • Before serving, remove the fridge and use a star shaped cookie cutter as a template for cutting out the stars.
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    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 709IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 3mg
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

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    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jen says

      July 2, 2016 at 10:34 am

      I’m so excited! Will let you know how they turn out! Your so creative!

      Reply
    2. Julie Mallin says

      June 30, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Hi, this looks like a delicious and easy recipe. I’m going to make a few batches Friday to bring to parties throughout the 4-day weekend. How should I store them so they’ll still taste great on Monday night – fridge or freezer? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        July 2, 2016 at 3:55 pm

        They will hold in the fridge for a few days otherwise they can go in the freezer. Best of luck! ~Tonia

        Reply
    3. Audra says

      June 28, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      If I make these the day before, will they be too hard when I try to serve them?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        July 2, 2016 at 3:56 pm

        They would be perfect! You will want to store them in the fridge. Best of luck! ~Tonia

        Reply
    4. Nathaniel Briner says

      February 9, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Tonia,

      I don’t usually comment but I made this recipe last Fourth of July and they were so popular. I enjoyed them and everyone else loved them! They look so nice and are soooo simple to make. I didn’t even cut them into the star shapes to make it more simple. I planned to make these for Christmas with red and green food coloring but forgot!i Instead I’ll be making them this week for Valentine’s Day with pink and red which I think will look great.

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        February 10, 2016 at 9:52 am

        Thanks so much for stopping back to let me know, Nathaniel! That is a great idea. I will have to put that on my blog calendar for next year!

        Reply
    5. Alex says

      July 3, 2015 at 9:45 am

      do I skip using water even though the box mix says so?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        July 3, 2015 at 9:55 am

        Yes, rather than making cake like the box says, you are making cake mix cookie bars instead. Best of luck! ~Tonia

        Reply
    6. Sara says

      May 23, 2015 at 5:01 pm

      do you really only bake the cake for 10-15 mins??? Isn’t it raw???

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        May 25, 2015 at 8:21 pm

        Yes, you only cook them that long. The crust is like cake mix cookies rather than cake.

        Reply
    7. Kristen Duke says

      May 25, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      These sound like such a yummy treat!! Love the cake + marshmallow + crispy treat combo!

      Reply
    8. Tavette says

      May 23, 2014 at 6:40 pm

      These are so attractive and look good enough to grab and eat right off the page!

      I’m missing something though. If they’re too hard to cut with a cookie cutter right out of the refrigerator but will squish the marshmallow fluff out if you let them warm up – how do you get them into the star shape?

      Thank

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        May 23, 2014 at 7:02 pm

        Thanks Tavette! I used the cookie cutter as a template and cut around it with a knife. Have a great Memorial Day!

        Reply
    9. Tonia says

      May 19, 2014 at 9:05 am

      Thank you! We love all of them too and we are really looking forward to summer!

      Reply
    10. Deb Harrington says

      May 11, 2014 at 12:20 pm

      I’m sure my grandchildren will love them, thank you! A Blessed & Happy Mother’s Day to you Tonia 🙂

      Reply
    11. Tonia says

      May 9, 2014 at 6:24 pm

      Very true…they will work for both holidays! Thanks Erin!

      Reply
    Tonia Larson from The Gunny Sack.

    Hi, I'm Tonia! Welcome to The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! Meet Tonia Larson →

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